The Coalition Government has appointed a new Employment Facilitator to help the NSW Far South Coast community foster more local job opportunities.
Based in Nowra, Mr Andrew Wales is an experienced entrepreneur and business professional committed to jobs growth. He is well connected with a strong network of south coast employers, government agencies and job providers, and currently operates his own management consulting and start-up incubator firm.
Minister for Jobs and Industrial Relations, the Hon Kelly O’Dwyer MP, said the $18.4 million Regional Employment Trials program recognises that some regions in Australia face unique challenges and require innovative and tailored solutions to local employment problems.
"The program partners with local communities to develop projects, to improve local employment opportunities," Minister O’Dwyer said.
"The Coalition’s plan for a stronger economy is working. More than 1.2 million jobs have been created since the Government came to office in September 2013, but we want to see even more jobs created in our local communities."
Under the Regional Employment Trials program, which runs until 30 June 2020, local organisations can apply for grants of between $7,500 and $200,000 for projects that help unemployed people prepare for and find work. Projects might include mentoring initiatives, pre-apprenticeship placement programs and the upskilling of local unemployed people to become more job ready.
The trial plans to deliver stronger connections between regional stakeholders, tailor employment initiatives to local needs, and improve awareness of local labour markets.
To help ensure outcomes are directed towards the needs of the region, the Government has partnered with the Regional Development Australia – Far South Coast (RDA FSC) Committee, who will play a vital role in assessing applications against regional priorities.
Local governments, employers, training organisations, not-for-profits, employment services providers and other community organisations can find more information about the opportunities under the Regional Employment Trial program at http://www.jobs.gov.au/ret.
